Did You GET the Message?

[Jesus teaching] "'And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.  But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred Denair; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.' 

"'So his fellow slave fell down and began to entreat him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' 

"'He was unwilling however, but went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.  So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.

"'Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me.  Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?'" Matthew 18:27-33

"He was given much patience but gave none, which makes us wonder if he actually understood the gift he had received. -- If you find patience hard to give, you might ask the same question.  How infiltrated are you with God's patience?  You've heard about it.  Read about it.  Perhaps underlined Bible passages regarding it.  But have you received it?  The proof is in your patience.  Patience deeply received results in patience freely offered."*

Patience leads to mercy and mercy to love.  Others do watch us, not necessarily to "report" us to anyone, but to rationalise their own consideration of the message Jesus offers through you.  When inconsistencies are more frequent than consistencies, it is easy for a pre-believer to discount or cheapen the amazing grace our Lord offers them!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

·        Adrian who was once a tri-athlete with a full life, has already been in and out of hospital many times since Christmas.  After a full bone scan they discovered additional serious issues from the cancer with deteriorating vertebrae in his neck and lumbar region. 

TODAY (2 February) at 1 PM, he will be hospitalised again to undergo a serious procedure to establish the ongoing effect on his spinal nerves and a prognosis.  In the meantime, his pain is so serious he is unable to care for himself adequately, but has no one to help him through this. 

Please pray for the constant care of the Lord to help him through this difficult time.  Do not grow weary in your prayers for him.  You do make a difference!

·        Isaias & Judith (missionaries in Philippines).  Isaias' father passed away and the funeral will be only 60 miles from dangerous conflict and extremism.  Please pray for their hearts and for safety of the family.  You may even feel led to make a donation to their ministry:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: 

·        Pray for Patty and Doris (who just had her 96th birthday.  She was like a second Mom to me)

·        A new border has been found for here and I have a second meeting on 3 February about the new project, increasing the potential for my involvement in it.  Thank you for praying.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS  

·        Greta - niece of Hans is in hospital for hand surgery.  She was accidently bitten by the family pet dog.

·        Hans - needs wisdom and courage to guide him during this time, some emergency funds and a reasonable job.

ONGOING PRAYERS

·        Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of grace and salvation in Australia.

·        Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges. 

·        Bettina to give her strength and wisdom. 

WIDE PRAYER ISSUES

·        Pray for calm, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.

·        France - the aftermath of a world-stopping tragedy. 

·        For the tragedy unfolding in Niger and other nations where thousands are being killed regularly by Islamic radicalists.  For those in Nigeria as Boko Haram (which means Western education is forbidden) stomps into new areas.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

·        Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) for understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.

·        My brother, Tim with COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease), that he has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing and to cope with the limitations. 

·        David R as he manages his macular degeneration and a host of other health challenges. 

·        Audley's and Beverly's (stroke) situation and his return to the ministry. 

·        Nancy  who continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury and for Fred as he cares for her. 

·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop. 

·        Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care with dwindling funds and few friends to help.  Give him energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that has abused him. 

·        Those affected by the first outbreak of Bubonic and pneumonic plague since August 2010, on the island of Madagascar.  Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases. 

·        Those affected and those working to stem the devastation of Ebola in West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other countries, as the disease continues to spread.  As of yesterday there were over 7,000 deaths from Ebola.  570 healthcare workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.

·        Those in Europe gearing up to fight a new strain of Bird Flu.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB RELATED CHALLENGES

·        Paul N-S - as he continues his search for work. 

·        Michael, a man who is humble and without a home or a job who needs a chance to get his life back to normal. 

·        Deepak - that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he is on the road travelling, promoting his business.

·        Me - Had a meeting last Tuesday and have been asked back to meet the three decision makers involved in a new, long-term project - tomorrow at 4PM.  Thanks for praying.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS

·        That the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!

·        Jen, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life. 

·        Louise who we have been praying for for awhile is growing stronger and thanks you all for praying.

·        Linda and Ian.  Rob and his daughter.  Reg.  Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  Thanksgiving for their practical support over the years.  

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  

·        For revival in the USA to continue.   

·        Birgit who is in Germany. 

·        For the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (This year the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people in these countries!  God is mysterious!) 

·        The Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

·        Elaine and Jim started a new ministry in Hong Kong and have some great news for those with a gift and heart for prayer:  An online church with a Prayer Room.  New visitors need to register for a login and password and will receive an email confirmation.  The room is open 27/7.  Go here to learn more:  https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

*A Love Worth Giving is copyright protected since 2002 by Max Lucado.  .  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 978-0-8499-4831-2 (repackage).  I encourage you to secure a copy and follow along.  I quote carefully and respectfully from his wonderful book.